The Planetoid of Peril

In a bustling age of off‑world development, a lone mining engineer named Harley drifts through the glittering charts of the Celestial Developments Company, hunting for a personal slice of the heavens. The company’s ledger reveals a single, unclaimed sphere—asteroid Z‑40—promising abundant metals, breathable air, and even lush vegetation, all for a price that seems almost a joke. Intrigued and hopeful, Harley decides this could be his chance to own a home and a profitable venture beyond Earth.

When he steps into the sleek corporate hub, a bright‑eyed clerk assures him the planet is “still for sale,” quoting a half‑million‑dollar tag and generous profit‑sharing terms. Before he can seal the deal, a senior executive intercepts, sternly declaring the asteroid off‑limits and refusing to explain why, hinting at a secret that could damage the company’s reputation. Undeterred, Harley clutches the executive’s arm, determined to uncover the truth behind the forbidden world before the opportunity slips away.